Front cover:Many journeys have taken place through this land
which over millennia has served as crossroads between east and
west, north and south. Rasim
Babayev painted
this camel in a series commemorating his mother. In 1914, as
a child of 12, she accompanied her father on Haji (Mecca). The
journey on camelback took two years. Oil, 120 cm x 108 cm, 1998.
Babayev's studio: (99-412) 38-22-87.

Back cover:Stained glass windows are one of the major features
of the 18th century Palace of the Shahs in Shaki.
This traditional craft called "shabaka" is distinguished
by the use of handcrafted pieces of wood which fit so precisely
together that no nails are needed. Visit the studio where "shabaka"
are being crafted next to the Palace in Shaki.